CLEVELAND – In the wake of a catastrophic drought, mega-corporation Urine Good Company has passed laws forbidding private restrooms and requiring payment for the usage of public ones, so as to conserve water. Those who do not pay for "The Privilege to Pee" are sent to a mysteriously ominous place known only as Urinetown. For twenty years the poor have been oppressed by ridiculous prices, until one day a young Public Amenity Attendant leads an uprising of the poor against the tyranny of their oppressors.

Sound absurd or laughable? Perhaps it should – Urinetown is widely known for its “wickedly modern wit.” In Urinetown, no one is safe from scrutiny. Overt jabs at Big Business, social injustice, and even at musicals themselves pepper the production with hilarity and strike a keen balance with content no Urinetown theatergoer can ignore: the blatant and often unsettling commentary on many issues that are all too familiar in our current sociopolitical climate. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, underlying the laughs of Urinetown lurk pointed observations on social and political revolution, capitalist greed, and how environmental catastrophes could affect an entire society. This falls in line with Brecht’s Epic Theatre, which emphasized that the art of theater is both entertaining and educational.

Though the show is traditionally presented with an adult cast, Near West Theatre has instead engaged 42 talented youth, ages 9-15, to interpret this irreverent, sophisticated satire. Placing it in the hands of these thoughtful youth results in a particularly compelling perspective – it is powerful to see these harsh truths through their eyes, and impressive to experience their ability to skillfully tackle this challenging material.

Please Note: We will hold our post-show Urinetown Talkback on Friday, September 23rd. This Talkback is FREE and open to all, even if you do not attend the show that evening. It will begin after that evening’s show concludes. Meet the cast, hear about the rehearsal and production process, and explore the content of the show with the performers who bring it all to life!

As always, Near West Theatre’s volunteer actors are diverse in race, neighborhood, age, size, physical ability, and acting experience. They range from city and suburban residents on stage for the first time, to actors familiar to the Near West stage and Northeast Ohio audiences. With this eighth production in their new facility, Near West continues to enjoy and explore the possibilities that their new wheelchair accessible, climate controlled building provides.

Reserved Star Seat tickets are $25; General Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at nearwesttheatre.org or by calling 216-961-6391 weekdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theater, constructed as part of the Gordon Square Arts District capital campaign, is at 6702 Detroit Avenue.

Near West Theatre is grateful for ongoing operating support from the Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Ohio Arts Council, Greater Cleveland Community Shares, and additional 2016-2017 season support from Patron Sponsor Consolidated Solutions.

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Urinetown, the MusicalBook & Lyrics by Greg Kotis Music & Lyrics by Mark HollmannNear West Theatre, September 16-25, 2016